Analyzing Heat Waves Experienced by Underrepresented Communities Living in Low-Income Neighborhoods of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Smith, Ebone

Analyzing Heat Waves Experienced by Underrepresented Communities Living in Low-Income Neighborhoods of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

dc.contributor.advisor	McPherson, Renee
dc.contributor.author	Smith, Ebone
dc.contributor.committeeMember	Shafer, Mark
dc.contributor.committeeMember	Peppler, Randy
dc.date.accessioned	2024-05-17T16:46:41Z
dc.date.available	2024-05-17T16:46:41Z
dc.date.issued	2024-05-10
dc.date.manuscript	2024-04-29
dc.description.abstract	According to the United States (U.S.) National Weather Service, extreme heat was the most fatal weather phenomena in 2022. As climates change around the U.S. and, more specifically, across the Southern Great Plains, extreme heat events are projected to increase in intensity, duration, and frequency. Past research demonstrates that heat-related mortality has increased throughout the state of Oklahoma in recent years, and that heat-related deaths are disproportionately represented by Black people, senior citizens, males, and single individuals. To examine the impacts of extreme heat in a low-income and racially diverse community in the northeastern quadrant of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this qualitative research study employed focus groups to address two research questions: 1) how do extreme heat conditions influence the lives of people living in Oklahoma City neighborhoods identified by significant social vulnerability?, and 2) what are the best practices for mitigating heat stress that can be implemented in Oklahoma City without harming the natural and social landscape that already exists? The focus groups were composed of four separate groups of people: 1) seniors, 2) youth, 3) mixed-aged adults, and 4) community leaders. Each group was asked the same set of questions, and the resulting discussions were transcribed to form the research dataset. To analyze the collected data, a thematic analysis was performed using three coding stages (open, axial, and selective). Five themes emerged from the data analysis: 1) adaptation, 2) communication/awareness, 3) health, 4) infrastructure, and 5) resources. In response to the first research question, participants discussed being burdened by the high cost of utility bills and disadvantaged by the lack of amenities, such as pools, splash pads, shade trees, and bus shelters. In response to the second research question, participants listed many ways they employed self-agency to stay cool, such as staying in cooled buildings, using fans, and preventing outdoor heat from penetrating inside their homes using shading equipment. Findings also showed that community members could benefit from local programs that offer financial assistance for cooling expenses and educational materials to inform the public of heat-health coping strategies and available resources.	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/11244/340366
dc.language	en_US	en_US
dc.subject	Extreme heat	en_US
dc.subject	Climate adaptation	en_US
dc.subject	Qualitative research	en_US
dc.thesis.degree	Master of Science	en_US
dc.title	Analyzing Heat Waves Experienced by Underrepresented Communities Living in Low-Income Neighborhoods of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	en_US
ou.group	College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences::Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability	en_US
shareok.orcid	0009-0004-4108-2556	en_US